80th anniversary of Victory over Japan

John Curtis; Nigel Walker

Background

15 August 2025 will mark 80 years since the surrender of the Japanese imperial forces, effectively ending the Second World War.

US President Harry S. Truman informed reporters gathered at the White House that Japan had agreed to an unconditional surrender on 14 August 1945. Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced in a radio broadcast the surrender of his country on 15 August, and hostilities ceased that day.

This decision by Japan came shortly after the dropping of nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 6 and 9 August.

The UK and other Commonwealth countries mark Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on 15 August. In Australia it is referred to as Victory in the Pacific Day or VP Day. The United States marks VJ Day on 2 September, the day formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

According to the Royal British Legion, by 1945 across Asia and the Pacific there were 365,000 British and 1.5 million Commonwealth troops deployed. A significant number of the latter being formed of the pre-partition Indian army. The Legion sets out some statistics on the casualties in the Pacific theatre of war:

90,332 British troops were casualties in the war against Japan, of which 29,968 died and 12,433 were held as prisoners of war. Of the Allied forces, the US suffered the greatest losses, with more than 100,000 killed in action. Estimates put Chinese losses both civilian and military, at approximately 20 million, others suggest the figure could be as high as 50 million. Over 2.6 million Japanese people lost their lives including a million civilians killed as a result of military action, disease or starvation.

The UK government have announced a series of events to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of VJ Day. These include an event at the National Memorial Arboretum to honour VJ veterans, which will be broadcast live. The Red Arrows will join historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft for a flypast over the national VJ Day 80 commemorations.

Members of the public will also be encouraged to participate in a national two-minute silence on Friday 15 August, and to organise their own local events to commemorate the anniversary.

News stories

The following is a selection of press and media articles relevant to this debate.

Please note: the Library is not responsible for either the views or accuracy of external content.

Eighty years after Trinity, the horror of the atomic bomb lives on

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

16 July 2025

Eighty years after the atomic bomb attacks, my mother’s stories still haunt me

Arms Control Today

Masako Wada

July/August 2025

VJ Day veterans to be honoured on 80th anniversary

BBC News

Susie Rack

19 June 2025

Royal British Legion calls on VJ Day veterans to join 80th anniversary

Independent

Phoebe Huzij

19 June 2025

Britain’s Second World War veterans dwindle to 8,000

The Times

Tom Whipple

19 June 2025

Press releases

National two-minute silence to mark VJ Day 80

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

14 July 2025

National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on 15 August 2025 to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day

PQs

VJ Day: Anniversaries

27 May 2025 | HL7445

Asked by: Lord Richards of Herstmonceux

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japan, and whether they will publicise those plans in good time before the events.

Answering member: Baroness Twycross | Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The Government announced the VE and VJ Day 80 programme with a statement to both Houses on 13 March. Debates were held on the same topic on 6 May in the House of Commons and on 9 May in the House of Lords.

On Friday 15 August, the Royal British Legion, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will lead a service at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, honouring those who served in the War in the Far East.

DCMS is also supporting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to run more than 250 mobile exhibitions across the UK and at key global commemorative sites to the Pacific, highlighting the stories of those who fought in the Second World War.

To recognise the war’s continuation beyond VE Day and the sacrifices made in the Far East, the Government’s National Engagement Programme runs throughout this 80th anniversary year to include both VE and VJ Day. More information is available at ve-vjday80.gov.uk.

Veterans: Anniversaries

25 Apr 2025 | 39496

Asked by: James Cartlidge

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding has been allocated by her Department to support the delivery of (a) VE day and (b) VJ day commemorative events (i) in the UK (ii) overseas.

Answering member: Stephanie Peacock | Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is working closely with veteran organisations, including the Royal British Legion (RBL), to provide travel, welfare and infrastructure support to ensure veterans can attend official events in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also working with veterans’ charities to support and where necessary fund veterans’ attendance at relevant VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas.

DCMS is working closely with key departments and external partners who will make a significant contribution to the VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations, including the MOD for ceremonial and military assets. Final costs will be confirmed after the event and in due course.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, an Arm’s Length Body of the MOD, reinforces the nation’s Covenant promise to support Armed Forces personnel, their families and veterans. The Trust manages the £10 million annual Armed Forces Covenant Fund on behalf of the MOD and collaborates with the UK Government to deliver strategic and targeted programmes that benefit Armed Forces communities.

VJ Day: Anniversaries

10 Mar 2025 | 34907

Asked by: James Cartlidge

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan.

Answering member: Al Carns | Ministry of Defence

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is the cross-Government lead for events commemorating the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with DCMS colleagues to support the national programme of events for both anniversaries.

On 5 May over 800 members of the Armed Forces will process up The Mall, culminating in a flypast over Buckingham Palace with current and historical military aircraft including the RAF Aerobatic team ‘The Red Arrows’. On 6 May, the MOD will support the Poppy Installation launch at the Tower of London with a military Band. On 8 May, VE Day, the MOD will provide senior Defence representation and musical support for the Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey. In the evening the MOD will provide musical support as part of the VE concert on Horse Guards Parade.

To commemorate VJ Day, an event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum which the MOD will support with senior representation and military assets.

VJ Day: Anniversaries

08 Nov 2024 | 11956

Asked by: Chris Vince

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to take steps to recognise people who were prisoners of war in the Far East at any VJ Day 80th anniversary commemoration.

Answering member: Al Carns | Ministry of Defence

The 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August 2025, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will serve as a significant occasion to honour the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the Far East and brought the Second World War to an end. The Government continues to recognise those that served in the Far East during World War II, with eligible personnel entitled to receive the Pacific Star and the Burma Star in recognition of their service.

Debates

80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan

9 May 2025 | House of Lords | 845 cc1793-1868

Lords motion to take note of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan. Agreed to on question.

Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan: 80th Anniversary

6 May 2025 | House of Commons | 766 cc602-652

Motion that this House has considered the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan. Agreed to on question.

Statements

The 80th Anniversary Of Victory Over Japan

15 Jul 2025 | HCWS821

Statement on the Government’s plans to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

Victory in Europe and Japan: 80th Anniversaries